Darling Downs mayor likened to Trump after budget voted down

A LOCAL government academic has likened aspects of Maranoa politics to those of the Trump administration, after the mayor's budget was voted down last week.

In light of the ongoing debate surrounding the recent budget release, The Western Star sought comment from Associate Professor Bligh Grant at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney, on the regular practise within local government.

Dr Grant said while conflict in councils was "par for the course", dual budgets were less common.

"The handing down of two budgets doesn't happen often in Australia," Dr Grant said. "It's mainly a result of this particular model of executive government, where the mayor is directly elected instead of being elected through an in-cabinet model and where they have more independent executive authority.

"We shouldn't be surprised that local politics can be characterised by conflict however there is an argument to suggest that having two heads of power on a council - one in the mayor and one in the council - can engender greater systemic conflict."

Dr Grant said elected mayors often strived to appeal to the ordinary resident and might seek emotive approval through their policy making.

"We can see politics made popular by Donald Trump and Pauline Hanson play out at a local level," he said.

"Directly elected mayors can be accused of political entrepreneurship and populist politics.

"One of the indicators of this is the idea that one doesn't have to increase the rates but at the same time can provide the same services."

Dr Grant said there were positives to having a directly elected mayor.

"Having mayors with more authority is 'on trend' internationally, yet somewhat unusual in Australia - with Queensland being the long-standing exception.

"There are arguments suggesting they are more accountable as people know who they are.

"People say there is a lot of corruption at a local government level however this is more likely due to the fact there are a greater number of councils, which causes complaints to be amplified.

"The directly elected mayoral system remains popular. There would be an outcry if the system were to be replaced at a local level."